In 1961 the British government decided to assist with the introduction of television stations into the newly emerging commonwealth countries which were becoming independent. The strategy behind this was to assist with information and education.

I was part of a  Scottish Television International team which was sent to different countries to create and develop national television stations. My role in the team was commercial and financial with other members of the team providing expertise in engineering, TV production and advertising sales.

Over the next three years I was involved in developing stations in Gibraltar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Jamaica.

In 1965 I became Development Director with the Mecca Entertainment/catering group during a major expansion period. 

In 1980 the TV industry was changing, with the introduction of video tape replacing film for tv programme production, I identified a future opportunity for business growth.

With several investors, Calpe decided to build a new television facilities house in Soho providing post production facilities including editing, camera hire and tape copying.

In 1981 we acquired a light entertainment company, MMTVF, and went onto create over 1000 hours of entertainment programmes for television studios and record companies. Artists included Jean Michel Jarre, Shirley Bassey and Elton John and we won awards for the groundbreaking Adam & the Ants videos.

In 1984 Capital floated on the stockmarket.

Concurrent with that we identified the trend for corporate videos and dramatised documentaries. From 1983 we started acquiring corporate and documentary production companies, grouping them under new TV holding company, Crown Television Productions plc which was also floated on the stock exchange in 1986.

The following year Crown also acquired Capital Television Facilities plc. In 1989 the whole group was sold it to LBC.

Chocolate Films is a South London based film production company and social enterprise which began in 2002. They make documentaries for broadcasters, charities and arts organisations and offer a range of production services including promotional, restoration and event films.

In 2007 Chocolate Films began a period of rapid growth and called in Calpe as consultants – to help them transform from a start up into flourishing business.
We advised the directors on:
* cash flow
* budgets
* management
* staffing structures
* property

Chocolate Films has made the transition from start up to healthy SME. It has just moved premises, has enjoyed healthy, organic growth and is now a robust, smart, flexible and collaborative company which provides not only an excellent service but also serves as a hub for young talent.

Calpe is continuing to mentor the directors and consult on an ad hoc basis.

www.chocolatefilms.com

Yoga BC was at the forefront of the fast growth health and fitness industry. It began as a one yoga class start-up and today is a successful business which has created 11 DVDs (selling over 1 million copies), has had books published in the UK, USA and Russia and continues to operate yoga classes.

Calpe has advised on strategy and growth since the inception of the company and continues to advise on financing, marketing and capital investment as well as mentoring the directors.